For the final time in Year One, Behind the Flow returns to reflect on a season nobody expected and a connection nobody could have predicted.

San Diego FC’s inaugural campaign is now complete. We’re joined in this episode by CEO Tom Penn, who reflects on the “20-month sprint” and, in his words, the “innocent rise” of SDFC. A year that began with questions grew into belief, and ended with a playoff run that captured a city.

Adrian García-Márquez is joined by Katia Castorena and Darren Smith to look back on the moments that defined this first chapter: the rise from “tipped to struggle” to Western Conference contenders, the postseason growth, and the nights from Galaxy to LAFC to Vancouver that showed what this club has already become.

And to close out Year One in style, we present the inaugural Behind the Flow Awards: five categories celebrating the players, moments, and identity that shaped San Diego’s first season in MLS.

Now that we know how the story ends, for anyone who doesn’t yet know how it began, we invite you to revisit the first ten episodes of this series: the definitive origin story of how this football club was built from scratch.

ROLL CALL
Executive Producer — Jake Warren
Series Producer — Macalister Bexon
Producer — Mark Kendrick
Assistant Producer — Tiago Dias
Field Producer — Rebecca Waer
Sound Editor — Lizzy Andrews
Production Coordinators — Tiago Dias & James Cox
Music Composition — Tom Biddle

A Message Heard & COPA90 production for iHeart.

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San Diego FC’s inaugural season has reached its conclusion.

A 3–1 loss to Vancouver in the Western Conference Final brought a tough end to an extraordinary Year One — a season where SDFC finished as the No. 1 seed, set an expansion points record, and came within one step of MLS Cup. Pride, even in heartbreak.

With emotions still fresh, Adrian García-Marquez is joined by Katia Castorena and Darren Smith to reflect on Saturday night — the early setbacks, the fight, and the supporters who carried this team throughout the year.

In next week’s episode, we’ll do a full deep-dive into the playoffs, the season and recall our favourite memories. Whilst we pull ourselves together after the final, we thought this week that we’d take you back to the beginning of Behind the Flow. We’re rewinding to the story of 33-year-old rookie Sporting Director Tyler Heaps, and the monumental task of building San Diego FC from scratch in the summer of 2024.

Rookies (Part 1) explores the club’s foundations — the recruitment strategy, the cultural blueprint, the Right to Dream influence, and the decisions that shaped one of the most successful expansion seasons in MLS history.

And if you want to continue the story, we recommend revisiting our follow-up episode on the appointment of Head Coach Mikey Varas — a choice that defined the identity we saw throughout 2025.

A moment to step back.
A look at where the journey began.
And the blueprint that made San Diego believe.

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San Diego FC are heading to the Western Conference Final — in their inaugural MLS season. A tense 1–0 win over Minnesota United, sealed by Anders Dreyer’s strike and Ian Pilcher’s extraordinary goal-line clearance, has pushed this expansion side into rare territory. Another sellout. Another statement night.

Adrian García-Márquez hosts alongside Katia Castorena and Darren Smith, as the team relive Monday’s playoff drama — the control, the composure, and the rookie defensive unit that continues to play beyond its years.

Joining them is San Diego’s own Ian Joy, who offers his perspective on the win, the unfolding identity of this SDFC side, and why Snapdragon already feels like a true football ground. He reflects on his journey from San Diego to St. Pauli, life in the MLS commentary booth, and what makes this club so compelling in Year One.

Ian also looks ahead to Saturday’s Western Final: Vancouver’s evolution under Thomas Müller, the threats San Diego must prepare for, and the tactical battles that could decide who reaches MLS Cup.A rookie back line rising to the moment.

A city surging behind its club.
A sell-out Blue Out inside 24 hours — with a chance to reach MLS Cup in Year One.

Playoff football. A Western Final.
A moment San Diego will never forget.

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